Jose Mourinho unable to inspire joyless Manchester United as Brighton expose their defensive frailties

The United manager had complained about Manchester City’s lack of “class” after he was mocked in the Amazon Prime “All or Nothing” documentary series about the champions but it is his team that is lacking. They are joyless.

Mourinho has also complained about United’s failure to sign a central defender during the summer transfer window but the two he brought in – Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, at a combined cost of £61million – played and were shocking.

Sanchez’s replacement Anthony Martial – who wants to leave the club – was peripheral as was Juan Mata as Brighton swarmed all over United. They wanted it more; they were better organised and more dynamic.

Brighton went ahead of 25 minutes with the impressive Davy Propper sending the ball out wide. Mata barely attempted to close down Gaeten Bong who found Solly March and he whipped in a first-time cross with

Glenn Murray stealing in front of Lindelof, who was far too slow to react. The striker superbly flicked it with the outside of his right boot beyond David De Gea and got the better of Lindelof all game.